One amp settings — Moreno Mg10

The Metallica guitar tone for “One”, dialed in for a Moreno Mg10 with a Fender American Professional II Stratocaster. Studio version, ...And Justice for All (1988) — clean intro/verse section

Original rig

Roland JC-120 Jazz Chorus (clean), Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ (distorted sections), Tom Anderson Stratocaster, MXR Dyna Comp

Pristine, shimmering clean with tight compression and subtle chorus shimmer for intro; scooped aggressive thrash crunch for heavy sections

Amp settings — Moreno Mg10

CHANNELOverdrive channel (only channel available on MG10)

Knob	Setting (0–10)
Gain	2
Bass	6
Mid	4
Treble	6
Presence	0
Reverb	3
Master	5

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Guitar

PICKUPneck TONE8 VOLUME10

Signal chain

01Compressor (e.g., MXR Dyna Comp, Boss CS-3)

RECOMMENDED — not currently owned. Hetfield specifically used an MXR Dyna Comp for the clean intro, running straight into the board or clean amp. This is essential for the tight, even articulation on the arpeggiated intro.

Output/Level 6 · Sensitivity/Sustain 5

Why these settings

The Moreno MG10 is a basic practice amp with limited headroom and a single gain-based channel—no separate clean channel exists. Gain at 2 keeps it as clean as possible. Your American Pro II Strat with V-Mod II single coils is actually ideal for this tone since Hetfield used a Strat-style guitar for the clean sections. Bass boosted to 6 compensates for the MG10's thin low end compared to a JC-120's full-bodied cleans. Without a compressor, the arpeggiated intro will lack the signature sustain and evenness.

PRO TIPFor the clean intro arpeggios, pick closer to the neck with the fleshy part of your fingertip barely grazing the pick attack—this replicates the soft, rounded transient Hetfield gets on those opening notes. Roll your tone knob to 8 to tame the Strat's natural high-end ice pick.

Get this tone on your amp

These settings are for a Moreno Mg10. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.

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Song, artist and gear names are used to identify the tone being matched; ToneAdapt is not affiliated with or endorsed by the artists or manufacturers mentioned. Settings are AI-generated starting points — trust your ears.